RiverHawks Rally Falls Short

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Southern Arkansas University held off a late Northeastern State rally to escape with a 57-54 victory at Jack Dobbins Field House Monday night.

The loss dropped the RiverHawks to 2-2 on the season and the Muleriders improved to 4-2, gaining a split in the two game series between the schools. NSU defeated Southern Arkansas on its home court just seven days ago 61-53.

“What we saw tonight was an immature basketball team,” said head coach Larry Gipson.“ We didn’t practice very well this week and we told our guys that poor practice results in poor game results and that’s exactly what you saw tonight.

“Their effort was greater than ours. We didn’t start out well until about a six minute stretch there in the second half. They beat us to the punch all night long.”

Northeastern State trailed by 16 points with 9:38 remaining in the game and battled back to within one point 55-54 when J.C. Snead came off the bench and sank three treys, his last with 24 seconds remaining.

“I came in ready just trying to boost our team,” said Snead. “I just came in and tried to do my job and knock down some shots.”

Following a series of fouls by the RiverHawks to put the Muleriders on the line, Southern Arkansas’ Channin Harden converted two free throws with 15 seconds left for a 57-54 lead.

Setting up for the last shot and an opportunity to send the game into overtime, NSU’s Snead, who was tripled teamed, missed the 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“I really didn’t have a good look at it (last shot),” said Snead. “It would have been a big shot though.”

Marlon Burnett led the RiverHawks in scoring with 16 points with Snead and Antonie Branch scoring 11 each. The RiverHawks shot 42 percent from the field (18-of-42) and were just 6-of-21 from behind the arc.

The Muleriders were led by Harden who scored 19 points as Southern Arkansas shot 51 percent from the field (23-of-45) and 7-of-14 on 3-point attempts. Justin Stuart added 14 points in the win.